7 K-Factor Harmonic Transformers

K-Factor Harmonic Transformers

In today’s industrial workplace, the proliferation of solid

state devices (lighting ballasts, motor drives and controls,
communications equipment, and other DC-powered loads)
has created a major problem for specifying engineers,
contractors and building owners. The non-linear nature of
their switch mode power supplies generate harmonic
currents that cause transformers and system neutrals
to overheat and destroy themselves.

K-Factor transformers are designed to reduce the heating

effects of harmonic currents created by loads like those
shown in Chart A. The K-Factor rating is an index of the
transformer’s ability to withstand harmonic content while
operating within the temperature limits of its insulating
system. Sola/Hevi-Duty K-Factor transformers have
UL ratings of K-4, K-13 and K-20.
Listed Certified
The Sola/Hevi-Duty K-Factor design is a specialized
transformer that offers these benefits:
• Conductors capable of carrying the harmonic currents Accessories and Optional Design Styles
of non-linear loads without exceeding the temperature • Wall mounting brackets (through 45 KVA only).
rating of the insulation system. Paralleled conductors • Weather Shields (UL-3R).
are used to reduce and control skin effect losses.
• Stainless Steel Enclosures.
• A transformer design that takes into account the • Totally enclosed non-ventilated designs.
increase in naturally occurring “stray” losses caused • Low temperature rise units available.
by non-linear loads. These losses cause standard • Open core and coil designs.
transformers to dramatically overheat and substan-
tially shorten design life. The K-Factor is designed to • Copper Wound designs.
function within safe operating temperatures.

• A core and coil design that manages the DC flux
caused by triplen harmonics*. As these harmonics
increase, they cause additional current to circulate in
the delta winding. This produces a DC flux in the core
which leads to core saturation, voltage instability and
overheating.
• K-Factor transformers are UL 1561 listed.
• Designed to supply non-linear loads without
overheating the windings or saturating the core.
• All Sola/Hevi-Duty K-Factor transformers have
a rated temperature rise of 150oC.
Contact Technical Services for weather shield
information.
* Triplen harmonics are those harmonics which are odd multiples
of third harmonic (9th, 15th, 21st, etc.).
Chart A: Typical Load K-Factors
Load K-Factor
Electric discharge lighting ............................................................ K-4
UPS with optional input filtering .................................................. K-4
Welders ........................................................................................ K-4
Induction heating equipment ....................................................... K-4
PLCs and solid state controls
(other than variable speed drives) .............................................. K-4
Telecommunications equipment (e.g.. PBX) ............................ K-13
UPS without input filtering ......................................................... K-13
Multiwire receptacle circuits in general care
areas of health care facilities and classrooms
of schools, etc. ........................................................................... K-13
Multiwire receptacle circuits supplying
inspection or testing equipment on an
assembly or production line ....................................................... K-13
Mainframe computer loads ........................................................ K-20
Solid state motor drives
(variable speed drives) .............................................................. K-20
Multiwire receptacle circuits in critical care areas and
operating/recovery rooms of hospitals ...................................... K-20
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM EDI MAGAZINE

Visit our website at www.solaheviduty.com or

174 contact Technical Services at (800) 377-4384 with any questions.
 K-Factor Harmonic Transformers 7
Features
• Conductors to carry harmonics of a K-rated load • Basic design takes “stray losses” into account and
without exceeding insulation temperature ratings. functions within safe operating temperatures.
• UL 1561 listed up to K-20 rated protection. • Core and coil design engineered to manage the zero
• Rated temperature rise of 150oC, 220oC insulation. sequence flux caused by triplen harmonics.
• Shielded for quality power. • Provides 100% rated current without overheating the
windings or saturating the core.

Selection Tables: Three Phase

Group A – K-4 Rated 480 D Primary, 208Y/120 Secondary, 60 Hz Listed Certified

NEMA 3R Ship
Catalog Height Width Depth Primary Secondary
KVA Weather Weight
Number (inch) (inch) (inch) Amps Amps
Shield* (lbs)
15 3H4T2H15S WS-02 23 18 14 180 18.1 41.7
30 3H4T2H30S WS-14 28 23 16 329 36.1 83.4
45 3H4T2H45S WS-14 28 23 16 357 54.2 125
75 3H4T2H75S WS-30 34 28 22 647 90.3 208
112.5 3H4T2H112S WS-10 44 33 21 890 135 313
150 3H4T2H150S WS-10 44 33 21 1045 181 417
225 3H4T2H225S WS-11 46 36 24 1230 271 625
300 3H4T2H300S WS-11 46 36 24 1420 361 834
500 3H4T2H500S WS-12 65 45 35 2400 602 1390
*Weather shields (set of two) must be ordered separately.

Group B – K-13 Rated 480 D Primary, 208Y/120 Secondary, 60 Hz

NEMA 3R Ship
Catalog Height Width Depth Primary Secondary
KVA Weather Weight
Number (inch) (inch) (inch) Amps Amps
Shield* (lbs)
15 3H13T2H15S WS-14 28 23 16 239 18.1 41.7
30 3H13T2H30S WS-30 34 28 22 409 36.1 83.4
45 3H13T2H45S WS-30 34 28 22 480 54.2 125
75 3H13T2H75S WS-30 34 28 22 647 90.3 208
112.5 3H13T2H112S WS-10 44 33 21 972 135 313
150 3H13T2H150S WS-11 46 36 24 1210 181 417
225 3H13T2H225S WS-11 46 36 24 1230 271 625
300 3H13T2H300S WS-11 46 36 24 1420 361 834
500 3H13T2H500S WS-12 65 45 35 2400 602 1390

*Weather shields (set of two) must be ordered separately.

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contact Technical Services at (800) 377-4384 with any questions. 175
 7 K-Factor Harmonic Transformers

Selection Tables: Three Phase

Group C – K-20 Rated 480 D Primary, 208Y/120 Secondary, 60 Hz Listed Certified

NEMA 3R Ship
Catalog Height Width Depth Primary Secondary
KVA Weather Weight
Number (inch) (inch) (inch) Amps Amps
Shield* (lbs)
15 3H20T2H15S WS-14 28 23 16 239 18.1 41.7
30 3H20T2H30S WS-30 34 28 22 422 36.1 83.4
45 3H20T2H45S WS-30 34 28 22 532 54.2 125
75 3H20T2H75S WS-30 34 28 22 654 90.3 208
112.5 3H20T2H112S WS-10 44 33 21 980 135 313
150 3H20T2H150S WS-11 46 36 24 960 181 417
225 3H20T2H225S WS-11 46 36 24 1230 271 625
300 3H20T2H300S WS-12 65 45 35 1420 361 834
500 3H20T2H500S WS-12 65 45 35 2400 602 1390

*Weather shields come in a set of two and need to be ordered separately.

Electrical Connection
Tap Information
480 D Primary 208Y/120 Volt Secondary
TAPS: 2, 2½% FCAN; 4, 2½% FCBN All Sola/Hevi-Duty non-linear load transformers are provided with two
2½% FCAN and four 2½% FCBN taps in addition to the nominal rating
tap. For actual tap voltages, refer to the Electrical Connection Diagram.

Primary H1-H2-H3 Secondary Voltage

@ Tap Voltage X 1, X 2, X 3 X0-X1, X2, X3

1 504
2 492
3 480
4 468 208 120
5 456
6 444
7 432

Visit our website at www.solaheviduty.com or

176 contact Technical Services at (800) 377-4384 with any questions.